Beauty: All Things Bright & Beautiful

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I am very honored that the lovely Miss Melissa has asked me to contribute to this weeks posts of “Finding beauty in your home”

I have included 3 things in my home that I find beauty in every day.

They are in no particular order.

My Orchids

Flowers – flowers from the florist, the supermarket, your garden, the neighbors garden – the botanical gardens – (oh dear this is deteriorating!!) I’d better stop. I don’t want to advocate a clandestine visit to the local park to steal them!! (Although I have known boyfriends of friends who have done that!!!) Anyway – you get my point – flowers! From anywhere!!

Flowers bring joy to the heart and instantly bring beauty to a home. Orchids would have to be one of the most elegant flowers that I know of and are wonderful value for length of bloom time. When I see their beautiful blossoms opening one by one – it just makes me so happy. One of Maison21 ‘s earliest posts sums up how to beautify your home with orchids in a most interesting and amusing way. So if you need some advice on how to care for orchids – do pop over and have a read.

My Grandmothers Occasional Chair

A beautiful family heirloom brings both beauty and fond memories and history to your home – if you have lovely things from family – display them!! Don’t keep the fine silver wrapped up for special occasions only – use it for the everyday!

When I see my Grandmother’s chair – it reminds me of her beautifully elegant lounge room and her antique ruby glass, Victorian book cases, endless cups of tea and home made slices and a chubby mini fox terrier who always tried to steal my biscuits!! My grandmothers chair is wicker and needs to be cared for in that the seating is not so strong – and there is always an element of “you need to be careful” with antique heirlooms – but it doesn’t mean it can’t be used – it just means I have to gently direct my slightly heavier guests to the sofa rather than that chair :-)!! I gently distract them from the fact that I’m maneuvering them over to the sofa by offering them a large selection of hors d’oeuvres and a glass of homemade mulled winter fruits and cinnamon juice!! :-)

My Bible

My Bible is a book that is not particularly beautiful on the outside – but it’s beautiful on the inside and it makes my life beautiful for all the wisdom and direction in it. Things don’t have to be beautiful on the outside to make your home more beautiful – they just have to add meaning and value to your life. And that’s really the things that make a home. Things that are of value to you – family, loved ones, and a place that nurtures you – that you can come home to to be refreshed from the wears and tears of the day.

Comments

Felicity your grandmother’s chair is so lovely. I think I’d be too afraid to have any sit in it. My mother taught me the same thing though… if you really cherish an item, keep it out and use it so that you can enjoy it’s beauty every day. I’ll definitely be visiting your blog!

felicity, you are everywhere these days! what an inspiring post, (and how nice of you to mention my own orchid post). i couldn’t agree with you more- i can make my home ANYPLACE as long as i have orchids, my grandmother’s giant black gothic cupboard, my mother’s rosewood chinese chests (purchased in hong kong, btw) and my loved lil furballs, mona and richard- everything else is just details.

What lovely words and images. Your grandmother’s chair is beautiful and hold all things near and dear. I love that you cherish the inside of your Bible. Your images are stunning and the simplicity of your choices is so telling of the thoughtful and lovely person you are. Blessings, Karen

Maison, it is always my pleasure to mention you and thank you especially Karen for your lovely comment :-)

Melissa – I couldn’t help myself – there is a frill (“A” frill is an understatement !) on todays post!!! Well one of 2 of todays posts and I have mentioned your post here today so I hope that people will pop over :-)

Lovely post, Felicity. (Thanks, Melissa!). I love this quote:
“Things don’t have to be beautiful on the outside to make your home more beautiful – they just have to add meaning and value to your life. And that’s really the things that make a home. Things that are of value to you – family, loved ones, and a place that nurtures you – that you can come home to to be refreshed from the wears and tears of the day.” This is important to remember. I see many homes with beautiful, but empty (not meaningful) decorative items. I’d much prefer to be surrounded by loveliness that resonates!

Felicity, your grandmother’s chair is wonderful, and I couldn’t agree more about fresh flowers–nothing brings a room to life more than an amazing bouquet of bright, cheerful, fragrant flowers, and Orchids are my favourite! Although I have tulips right now.